Andrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Blepharitis can be usually diagnosed by a physician based on the history as
given by the patient and physical examination.
The history should include a discussion of symptoms that the patient is
experiencing and the presence of any general health problems that may be
contributing to the eye problem.
The physical examination should place special emphasis on evaluation of the
eyelids, lid margins, base of the lashes, oil gland openings, tear quantity and
quality, and front surface of the eyeball using a slit lamp, which allows a
magnified view with sufficient illumination.
A differentiation among the various types of blepharitis can often be made
based on this examination, and appropriate treatment can be suggested.
Occasionally, cultures are taken -- swabbing the discharge and sending this
to the laboratory to look for specific organisms. In some cases, an allergy
evaluation may be required.
What are complications of blepharitis?
It is unusual for blepharitis to cause serious problems. However, blepharitis
can lead to a number of other conditions.
Sty: A sty or hordeolum is a bacterial infection in one of the oil glands
whose opening is clogged. The result is a painful lump on the edge or inside of
your eyelid.
Chalazion: A chalazion or conjunctival granuloma occurs when a blockage in
one of the oil glands causes that gland to become enlarged and scarred.
Chronic pink eye: Blepharitis can lead to recurrent bouts of pink eye
(conjunctivitis).
Ulceration of the cornea: Constant irritation from inflamed eyelids or
misdirected eyelashes may cause a sore (ulcer) to develop on your cornea.
Blepharitis does not affect vision generally, although a poor tear film may
intermittently blur vision, causing varying amounts of fluctuating vision during
the day. Call your ophthalmologist if you develop significant changes in vision
since this symptom is not due to the blepharitis.
Call your ophthalmologist if you develop significant pain in either or both
eyes, since this symptom is not due to the blepharitis.
Call your ophthalmologist if symptoms become worse or last for longer than
two weeks.
Call your ophthalmologist if you develop a sore on the eyelid that persists
or increases in size, especially if it is red, bleeding, and not healing.
Staphylococcus or Staph is a group of bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases. Staph infections can cause illness directly by infection or indirectly by the toxins they produce. Symptoms and signs of a Staph infection include redness, swelling, pain, and drainage of pus. Minor skin infections are treated with an antibiotic ointment, while more serious infections are treated with intravenous antibiotics.
Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is redness or irritation of the conjunctivae, the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids and the membranes covering the whites of the eyes. These membranes react to a wide range of bacteria, viruses, allergy-provoking agents, irritants, and toxic agents.
A sty (sometimes spelled stye) is a tender, painful red bump located at the base of an eyelash or on, inside, or under the eyelid, which is the result of an acute infection of the oil glands of the eyelid. Complications of a sty can be blepharitis and chalazion.
Acne is a localized skin inflammation as a result of overactivity of oil glands at the
base of hair follicles. This inflammation, depending on its location, can take the form
of a superficial pustule (contains pus), a pimple, a deeper cyst, congested pores, whiteheads, or blackheads. Treatments vary depending on the severity of the acne.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer
in humans. There are three main types of skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma and
squamous cell carcinoma (the nonmelanoma skin cancers), and melanoma.
Head lice infection is called pediculosis. Lice are parasites that feed on blood and can be found on the scalp and hair of infected people. Signs and symptoms of head lice infestation include a tickling sensation, itching, and sores on the head. Head lice may be eliminated with various over-the-counter shampoos and washing all clothing and bed linens in the hot water cycle. Combs and brushes should be disinfected, and the floor and furniture should be vacuumed.
Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Dry eyes are caused by an imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eye, but also can be caused by the drying out of the tear film. This can be due to dry air created by air conditioning, heat, or other environmental conditions.
Chalazions are cysts that form on the eyelid when a meibomian gland becomes inflamed. The meibomian glands secrete a mixture of oil and mucus (sebum) that lubricates the eye. When the gland becomes clogged, the material builds up and causes swelling.
Many common eye disorders resolve without treatment and some may be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) products. It's important to visit a physician or ophthalmologist is the problem involves the eyeball itself or the condition hasn't improved after 72 hours of use of an eye-care OTC product.
Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process after injury. The depth and size of the wound incision and the location of the injury impact the scar's characteristics, but your age, heredity and even sex or ethnicity will affect how your skin reacts.
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